HG

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Samsung has added the Honeycomb-based Galaxy Tab 10.1 to its line-up of tablets.

The new tablet comes with a 10.1-inch LCD screen and a resolution at 1280 x 800 pixels. Under the hood, there is a 1 GHz dual-core processor.

The tablet measures 9.6 inches by 6.6 inches by 4/10 of an inch and weighs 1.3 pounds, according to a company statement. That makes it a good bit lighter than the Motorola Xoom, which also has 10.1-inch screen, is based on the tablet-optimized Honeycomb OS -- also known as Android 3.0 -- but weighs 1.6 pounds, according to a spec sheet on Motorola's website.

The back camera has an 8-megapixel resolution and LED flash and the front camera has a 2-megapixel resolution.

Users who want to watch streaming video on their tablet can access the Internet using Wi-Fi (802.11a, b, g and n) or HSPA+ (High-Speed Packet Access) at up to 21M bps (bits per second). For users to take full advantage of that speed, their mobile operator may first have to upgrade their network. Today, there are 79 commercial HSPA+ networks that can handle data speed of 21M bps, according to a recent report published by industry organization GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association).

The device will start shipping in some markets, including Sweden, in June. Pricing was not disclosed.source

As early as end of this year, Korean and Japanese users will be able to experience seamless and convenient mobile payment in Korea and Japan with the introduction of Near Field Communication (NFC) based mobile financial services.

For the cross-border mobile payment service, KT, the second-largest mobile carrier, has joined with NTT DoCoMo, the leading mobile carrier in Japan. Meanwhile SK Telecom, the No. 1 mobile carrier in the local market, has joined forces with KDDI and Softbank Mobile. source

Old telecom players — Bharti, Idea and Vodafone are considering a legal challenge against Trai’s recent recommendation to levy heavy spectrum charges on them. Trai has recommended this penalty for excess spectrum held by these companies.

The CAG, which had pegged the exchequer’s loss due to the 2G scam at Rs 1.76 lakh crore had also ascribed Rs 37,000 crore of the total to the excess spectrum held by these firms. “If the telecom department accepts the Trai recommendation, we will have no choice but to challenge them in the courts. The Trai recommendation are unjust and the charges they have announced are too high,” said a senior official from a telecom company.

In fact last year Bharti, Vodafone and Idea had challenged in TDSAT, Trai’s recommendation which had first talked about levying one time charge on these old telecos for the spectrum they hold beyond 6.2 Mhz based on the price discovered in then on-going 3G auction. These companies were forced to withdrew their petition because at that time telecom department had not accepted these recommendations and therefore the petition was not “maintainable.”

However, then Trai on its own had told the telecom department that it will study the matter in detail and will give recommendations separately on how to charge the spectrum beyond 6.2 Mhz. Last week, Trai finally came out with its report recommending that companies be asked to pay Rs 4,571 crore for every MHz of spectrum they hold on a pan-India basis over the contractual limit of 6.2 Mhz.

The government is expected to get additional revenue of Rs 16,000 crore if it accepts these recommendations, an analysis by Emkay Global Financial Services shows. BSNL, which holds the maximum amount of additional spectrum, will have to pay Rs 7,000 crore. BSNL has excess spectrum in 19 circles (61 Mhz), Bharti in 13 circles (32 Mhz), Vodafone in seven circles (19.6 Mhz), Idea in six circles (12.6 Mhz), MTNL in two circles (12.4 Mhz), BPL in one, Reliance in one, Aircel in one and Spice (now Idea) in one, according to CAG report.source.

Globe Telecom has started expanding its line-up of internet capable smartphones and tablets to meet the increasing demand for an affordable yet reliable on-the-go internet connectivity. This move taken by Globe is part of the company’s plan in strengthening its leadership in mobile data services in the country. The aggressive push for new devices and mobile data plans addresses the demands for a more accessible and more affordable internet access to mobile phone

Mini s5570 and the Samsung Galaxy Ace s5830. These mobile phones are powered by the Android 2.1~2.2, a mobile operating system specifically designed for mobile functions such as internet browsing, gaming, sending of tweets, viewing and updating of Facebook statuses, communication and other mobile internet functions available in most Android-powered devices today.

The Huawei Ideos u8150 and Samsung Galaxy 5 i5503 Europa both come free with Globe MySuperPlan 499 and 30 days of Super Surf.

The Samsung Galaxy Mini s5570 comes free at Globe MySuperPlan 999, while the Samsung Galaxy Ace s5830 is free atPlan 1799. Both are bundled with 30 days of Super Surf for free so users can experience and enjoy mobile internet their way.source

Google is one of the world’s leading software manufacturers both in terms of online applications and mobile software. Quite obviously, their Androidmobile platform can largely be attributed when it comes to their success as it has become one of the most used platforms in the world. However, Google has also dabbled in in the hardware world working closely with manufactures like HTC and Samsung to push out the Nexus One and Nexus S, respectively.

However, both the Nexus One and Nexus S currently only work with T-Mobile’s 3G speeds leaving those wanting to use it on AT&T with slow speeds. Luckily, a version of the Nexus S was just spotted at the FCC complete with AT&T 3G built-in. Unfortunately, this device has yet to be confirmed but seeing how the Nexus S is one of the most highly sought after Android devices currently on the market it most likely won’t be too long now.source

Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR | PowerRating) today announced MobileNext, the industry's first open mobile core for 2G/3G and LTE networks that enables mobile operators to profit from the rapid increase in mobile data traffic from smartphones and other mobile device types. MobileNext is a suite of software that runs on Juniper Networks industry leading MX 3D Universal Edge Router and Junos(R) software platform. MobileNext delivers on the "Project Falcon" initiative with breakthrough products, solutions and business models that address the needs of mobile operators today.

MobileNext software offerings includes the following three key elements for 2G/3G and LTE mobile packet cores:

-- MobileNext Broadband Gateway: Providing GGSN and PDN/Serving Gateway
functions in one platform, the MobileNext Broadband Gateway delivers
scale and performance with uncompromised in-line IP services while
enabling service creation with the Junos SDK for operators to innovate
profitable data services.
-- Mobile Control Gateway: Providing SGSN and MME functions for 2G/3G and
LTE mobile packet cores, the MobileNext Control Gateway delivers
control plane functions for mobile networks including user
authentication and mobility management to redefine performance for the
smartphone era.
-- MobileNext Policy Manager: Integrating with the industry's leading
subscriber management systems, Juniper is offering choice and
flexibility for mobile operators to control network and content
resources and rapidly enable and monetize new applications.

"Mobile operators are under pressure to scale bandwidth, offer new services and drive profitability," said Mike Iandolo, general manager and vice president of Mobile Business Unit at Juniper Networks. "With MobileNext, Juniper is providing a solution that delivers high-definition experience, investment protection and stronger economics. Our unique solution offers a programmable platform for operators to customize innovation that monetizes rich media data services."

MobileNext offers rapid integration of new applications through Junos SDK to help mobile operators accelerate service innovation. Leveraging the Junos SDK, Juniper worked with Openwave Systems to deliver video optimization and application load balancing for mobile operators to build IP services and expedite time to revenue.

By tailoring the performance and open APIs to the smartphone revolution, Juniper transforms the business model of mobile core networks. As the mobile industry moves to IP-based services and architecture, Juniper is also offering a simplified, "any G" subscriber-based pricing model that is independent of radio access type and strengthens the economics of delivering data services for mobile operators.

"The data tsunami coming from smartphones and other mobile devices will continue to increase, fueled by more powerful devices and a shift from 3G to 4G/LTE," said Phil Solis, research director, Mobile Networks at ABI Research. "Through its open Junos SDK, Juniper's MobileNext delivers the service creation and service velocity operators need in the smartphone era, and the consolidation of best-in-class services in a single platform can reduce operators' total cost of ownership up to 56 percent."

About Juniper Networks Juniper Networks is in the business of network innovation. From devices to data centers, from consumers to cloud providers, Juniper Networks delivers the software, silicon and systems that transform the experience and economics of networking. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net).

Statements in this release concerning Juniper Networks' prospects and future products are forward-looking statements that involve a number of uncertainties and risks. Actual results or events could differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those listed in Juniper Networks' most recent report on Form 10-Q or 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All statements made in this press release are made only as of the date set forth at the beginning of this release. Juniper Networks undertakes no obligation to update the information in this release in the event facts or circumstances subsequently change after the date of this press release.

Juniper Networks and Junos are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. The Juniper Networks and Junos logos are trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks are the property of their respective owners. source

Despite a sharp fall in telecom share prices, analysts are not recommending Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications to investors. Following the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) recommendation of a steep hike in 2G spectrum pricing, wherein telecom companies have to shell out additional Rs 16000 crore to the government, the telecom stock prices took a severe beating. The telecom stocks were one of the biggest losers on Thursday's trade.

According to analysts, no fresh buying is recommended at the current level. With an estimated price earning ratio (PE ratio) of 26.1x in FY11, Idea is recommended for sell. For Bharti Airtel, investors can hold on with an estimated PE of 20.4x, as suggested by Emkay Share.

“Telecom companies would not agree to the re-pricing proposal by TRAI. The proposal does not seem reasonable. Unless there is clarity on the re-pricing issue, no fresh entry is recommended. Market has already factored in the re-pricing issue. However, there could be further down falls based on the final outcome,” said an analyst on condition of anonymity.

TRAI has sent a final recommendation for re-pricing of 2G spectrum. This was a further intimation to recommendations made in May 2010 for re-pricing of spectrum above 6.2Mhz. Re-pricing is recommended for the remaining period (7 years) of spectrum at the price discovered in auction of 3G spectrum.

If implemented then it would erode profitability of Bharti and Idea with yearly outgo of Rs 580 crore and Rs 230 crore, respectively for 7 years. Cost for Reliance Communication is expected to remain miniscule at Rs 2 crore, according the Emkay research note.

Shares of Bharti and Idea ended at Rs 322.80, down 2.81%, Rs 65, down 1.89% respectively. RCom, however, was at Rs 96.25, up 1.69% at the close of day’s trading on NSE. The stock prices Bharti Airtel, RCom and Idea have corrected 15% on an average in last one month.source

If you come across such unfinished conversations at Khel Gaon and Mega Sports Complex like on Saturday afternoon, blame it on Birsa Munda Central Jail.

While thousands of players, technical officials and guests are finding it difficult to communicate with their family members in wake of poor mobile connectivity, a technical staff of a private mobile service provider said jammers fitted at the jail stone's throw away from the sports complex stop people to make uninterrupted calls.

Not just mobile phones, wireless data cards a useful tool for direct link to the cyber world from the sporting arena are also experiencing frequent drop in network speed.

Tamilnadu Taekwondo Association deputy secretary S Kothandan seemed perplexed over the repeated drop in internet network. "I have been trying to use this data card but the network is failing every now and then making it difficult for me to send mails and establish communication with the state office," he said.

Kothandan admitted that if the connectivity issue was not resolved, real-time update of results and event details would be a big challenge for the organizers and competition directors.

Sanjib Chatterjee, the technical official for swimming, said that he was using a couple of sim cards and still finding it difficult to make or receive a call. "BSNL is slightly better than any other services but there are pockets in the stadium where none of the connections uis working," he said.

The pinch is being felt badly by outstation players, some of them coming to Jharkhand for the first time. Karnataka volleyball player N Ganeshan said his parents were apprehensive about his coming to Jharkhand. "The place is known for extremist activities and my parents were worried about me. What has made the situation complex is network failure," he complained, saying that he is getting calls but no voice quality.

Carrying three sims of private service providers, Ganeshan is prepared to buy a local sim if he gets connectivity.

Players from Haryana complained about unavailability of recharge coupons near their place of stay in Khel Gaon saying that because of poor network they are losing money in roaming. "Everytime I am trying to receive a call instead of being able to talk I am losing 50 paise as roaming charges and there is no recharge facility here," said M N Kaur of the state's athletics team said. source